Gov. Rauner proposes a minimum wage increase during the State of the State address

The state minimum wage would increase from $8.25 an hour to $10 an hour over seven years in a proposal by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. The new Republican governor gave his first State of the State address Wednesday afternoon to state lawmakers that are predominately Democrats.

Rauner says he wants workers’ compensation reform, lawsuit reforms, changes to unemployment insurance and diversity guidelines for unions that contract with the state.

He says out-of-control property taxes are crushing middle class families and he blames governments that have been unable or unwilling to control their own spending.